then it is, when gentlefolks behave so as to make themselves
despised; and that will ever be the case with all those who, like
(excuse me, ladies, you insisted upon my telling you what I said)
Miss Betsy, and Miss Rachael, and Master James, show such contempt
to all their inferiors. Nobody could wish children of their
fortunes to make themselves too free, or play with their servants;
but if they were little kings and queens, still they ought to
speak kind and civil to everyone. Indeed our king and queen would
scorn to behave like the children of this family, and if--" She
was going on, but they stopped her, saying, "If you say another
word, we will push you out of the room this moment, you rude,
bold, insolent woman; you ought to be ashamed of speaking so
disrespectfully of your betters; but we will tell our mamma, that
we will, and she won't suffer you to allow your tongue such
liberties." "If," replied Molly, "I have offended you, I am sorry
for it, and beg your pardon, ladies; I am sure I had no wish to do
so; and you should remember that you both insisted upon my telling
you what I had been saying." "So we did," said they, "but you had
no business to say it all; and I promise you my mamma shall know
it."

'In this manner they went on for some time; but, to make short of
my story, they represented the matter in such a manner to their
mother, that she dismissed Molly from her service, with a strict
charge never to visit the house again. "For," said Mrs. Speedgo,
"no servant who behaves as you have done, shall ever enter my
doors again, or eat another mouthful in my house." Molly had no
desire so suddenly to quit her place; but as her conscience
perfectly acquitted her of any wilful crime, after receiving her
wages, respectfully wishing all the family their health, and